Communications Degrees

<h2 id="section---WhatIsACommunicationsDegree">What Is a Communications Degree?</h2> <p>Communication studies centers on the study of human communication in a theoretical, practical, and critical framework. A communications degree program aims to develop a student's communications skills on an interpersonal, public, group, and organizational level. As such, these programs feature coursework in written and oral communications, and students usually take a range of electives including topics such as public speaking, social media communication, broadcasting, non-verbal communication, and conflict management. </p> <p>Communications studies also encompass several other fields that share a focus on rhetorical analysis, presentation skills, and writing, and examples of degrees housed within the field of communications include: </p> <ul><li>Advertising degrees </li><li>Public relations degrees </li><li>English degrees </li><li>Foreign language degrees </li><li>Journalism and media arts degrees </li><li>Graphic arts degrees </li></ul><h2 id="section---TypesOfCommunicationDegrees">Types of Communication Degrees</h2> <p>Communications studies is a broad field that comprises undergraduate and graduate degree programs and many feature concentration areas or have a specific focus on a single communications medium or subfield. Below are just a few examples of the types of communications degrees you can earn: </p> <ul><li><b>Mass communications degree</b> - Focuses on communicating through media, such as radio, television, and social media. </li><li><b>Sports communication degree</b> - A subfield that is all about sports broadcasting, sports journalism, and play-by-play commentary. </li><li><b>Visual communications degree</b> - Centers on the study of how visual arts, such as graphic design, typography, digital media, and motion graphics, can be used to communication. </li><li><b>Strategic communications degree</b> - A subfield that includes the study of how communications strategies can be used to influence, inform, and create policy like in public relations and advertising. </li></ul><h3 id="section---AssociateDegreeInCommunications">Associate Degree in Communications</h3> <p>Associate degree programs in communications typically require about 60 credits and can be completed in 2 years. Some associate programs are also designed as a pathway towards a full bachelor's degree. Students take general education coursework in the humanities, math, science, and writing as well as communications classes within the major. Some examples of communications-focused classes that are included in communications associate degree programs include: </p> <ul><li>Mass communications </li><li>Public speaking </li><li>Communication law </li><li>Communications and digital technology </li><li>Graphic/visual design </li></ul><p>The most common type of communications programs at the associate level are general communications programs; however, there are a limited number of mass communications and visual communications associate programs available. </p> <h3 id="section---BachelorSDegreeInCommunications">Bachelor's Degree in Communications</h3> <p>Generally, there are 2 types of communications bachelor's degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree and Bachelor of Science in Communications degree. The main difference between these degrees is that a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree requires more math and science courses compared to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, which offer more flexible electives. Further, BA degrees have a foreign language requirement while BS degrees don't. Last, BS in Communications programs might have a more technical focus compared to BA degrees, which could have a broader liberal arts focus. </p> <p>Bachelor's degrees in communications take about 4 years to earn and require about 120 credits with general education coursework in writing, math, the social sciences, and the biological sciences. Within the communications major, students also take such communications classes as: </p> <ul><li>Public relations </li><li>Technical writing </li><li>Public speaking </li><li>Communication law </li><li>Communications ethics </li><li>New media </li></ul><p>Many bachelor's degree programs offer concentrations in one subfield of communications, such as journalism, public relations, new media, business communications, and professional writing. There are also bachelor's programs available in sports, strategic, graphic, and mass communications. </p> <h3 id="section---MasterSDegreeInCommunications">Master's Degree in Communications</h3> <p>Master's in communications programs can lead to a Master of Science or a Master of Arts degree and usually require 30-36 total credits. These are popular 2-year programs with a range of specialization options available, and students can earn a communications master's degree in: </p> <ul><li>Mass Media Arts and Journalism </li><li>Interactive Media and Communications </li><li>Strategic Communications </li><li>Mass Communication </li><li>Communication, Media and Theater </li></ul><p>Many master's programs also offer concentrations areas within the communications degree, such as political communication, arts management, public relations, and social media. As such, the curriculum of master-level programs varies, but you may take such core communications courses as: </p> <ul><li>Communication research methods </li><li>Communication theory </li><li>Public relations </li><li>Communication law </li></ul><p>Along with coursework, most communications master's programs also require or make optional a final thesis, capstone project, or research paper. </p> <h3 id="section---PhDInCommunications">PhD in Communications</h3> <p>On the graduate level, students can also earn a PhD in Communications. These programs can take anywhere from 3-5 years to complete and consist of coursework, a qualifying examination, research, and a dissertation. As doctorate in communications programs are research-focused, students take such communications courses as: </p> <ul><li>Quantitative methods </li><li>Qualitative methods </li><li>Communication theory </li><li>Applied research </li><li>Approaches to human communication </li></ul><p>Students also take electives within their specialty, and some PhD programs offer concentrations in new media, health communications, political communications, media psychology, and journalism. </p> <h2 id="section---The50BestCommunicationsDegrees20202021SchoolYear"> The 50 Best Communications Degrees (2020-2021 School Year)</h2> <p>After examining graduation rates, student retention, tuition costs and other data from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as the individual characteristics of hundreds of post-secondary schools, Learn.org has developed a list of the top 50 colleges and universities in the area of communications. It is common for these top schools to have internships and study abroad opportunities, state-of-the-art classroom and media facilities, and honors or mentoring programs for top-performing students. Each of the colleges and universities on this list is a top-notch institution. For anyone hoping to pursue a career in journalism, media, rhetoric, or any other communications-related area, the schools on this list should get immediate attention. </p> <h3 id="section---1.HighPointUniversity"> 1. High Point University</h3> <p>A testament to the fantastic education provided by the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication at High Point University in High Point, North Carolina, communications graduates hold jobs in some of the most recognizable sports, media, public, and non-profit companies in the country, such as MTV, the Discovery Channel, and Madison Square Garden. This great success is due in large part to the guidance of an esteemed faculty that boast accolades like Fulbright and Emmy Awards. Students interested in communications can select from eight undergraduate majors or ten minors, including sports media, journalism, and event management, or request an individualized major that is uniquely designed to meet the specific interests and passions of the students. At the graduate level, students can opt to pursue a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, or even a B.A. to M.A. program in Strategic Communication. </p> <h3 id="section---2.LasellCollege"> 2. Lasell College</h3> <p>Every student in the Lasell College School of Communication and the Arts at Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts, completes at least one professional internship, which often opens the door to later employment in a variety of sectors, including sports, entertainment, and healthcare. While pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, students can major in creative advertising, public relations, or one of five other areas, and those studying for a Master of Science in Communication are able to take online or traditionally-delivered courses. To supplement the great curriculum in these programs, students are also able to pursue communications-centered study abroad programs at over fifteen universities around the world including those in Taiwan, South Africa, and Switzerland. </p> <h3 id="section---3.DePauwUniversity"> 3. DePauw University</h3> <p>Greencastle, Indiana, is home to DePauw's Communication and Theatre Department, which offers students the opportunity to study with award-winning faculty and participate in internships with organizations like the NCAA and Indianapolis Colts, as well as with advertising agencies and event productions in major cities across the country. Students here can pursue a communication major and, if they wish to specialize further, can add a minor in media studies, rhetoric and interpersonal communication, or even theatre. One of the special benefits of pursuing a communications degree at this school is access to the National Undergraduate Honors Conference for Communications and Theatre, which has been held at DePauw for 45 years. Not only does this engaging conference allow scholars and exemplary students in communication to work together for a rigorous weekend of study and dialog, it also serves as a great networking opportunity. </p> <h3 id="section---4.SUNYOneonta"> 4. SUNY Oneonta</h3> <p>High-achieving Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies students at SUNY Oneonta in New York can earn an invitation to join the school's chapter of the Lambda Pi Eta honor society, a part of the National Communication Association. Members of this active society are privileged to participate in numerous activities each year, such as an annual trip to New York City to visit companies like Buzzfeed and Twitter and promote professionalism. SUNY Oneonta communications and media students also have the opportunity to run the campus FM radio station and can join the WIRE television production club to learn all the aspects of different types of broadcasting and gain hands-on experience. </p> <h3 id="section---5.MaristCollege"> 5. Marist College</h3> <p>In the Department of Communication at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, students in the Bachelor of Arts in Communication program can choose from five undergraduate concentrations or select the five-year dual degree option that culminates in both a B.A. in Communication and a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication. In addition to public relations and advertising, undergraduate students at Marist College can select from concentrations in journalism, sports communication, or communication studies while having the opportunity to participate in internships in New York City and the Hudson River Valley with some of the world's leading media, sports, publishing, and advertising companies. </p> <h3 id="section---6.DenisonUniversity"> 6. Denison University</h3> <p>Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Communication program at Denison University in Granville, Ohio enter the workforce so well-prepared for their careers that they can be found working for AARP, Amazon, Best Buy, L'Oreal, and other major national and international companies. The Communications Department is one of the largest at this school, with over 300 dedicated students pursuing a dynamic and ever-evolving discipline that encompasses new developments in technology and methodologies. Not only do students in this amazing program get a top notch education, they also have the honor of presenting their work at many professional conferences and seminars, including the Eastern States Communication Association, the Conference on Ethnicity and Family Communication, DePauw University Undergraduate Honors Conference, and the National Communication Association. </p> <h3 id="section---7.HanoverCollege"> 7. Hanover College</h3> <p>Bachelor's degrees in communication from Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, can concentrate in mass media, rhetoric, and business communication, but if none of the concentrations quite fit in with students' career plans, they also have the option to take the reins and design their own program. This exciting opportunity puts the student in charge, right down to picking professors, selecting and describing the core area they want to study, and putting together the proposal for their major. If students want to combine travel and learning, they can even participate in a study abroad opportunity, like one in Panama to study the area of cross-cultural communication, allowing students to put communication theory into practice. Because of the quality education received here, PBS, film festivals, national conferences, and seminars are just some of the places where Hanover's communication students have the opportunity to demonstrate their work. </p> <h3 id="section---8.ArizonaStateUniversityWest"> 8. Arizona State University-West</h3> <p>The West campus of Arizona State University in Phoenix offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Communication in accelerated formats, ensuring students can jump into the real world as soon as possible. As part of their phenomenal education, communications students have the opportunity to use CommLabASU, which is nationally recognized, to study how communication is impacted for better or worse in various ways. They can also elect to focus on areas such as culture and social technology, communication training and mentoring, and risk and strategic communication. </p> <h3 id="section---9.MarymountManhattanCollege"> 9. Marymount Manhattan College</h3> <p>In communication and media arts at Marymount Manhattan College in New York, students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication arts, public relations and strategic communication, digital journalism, digital media and video production, or cinema, television, or emerging media. Since 2015, over 400 communications and media arts students from this school have benefited from internships in New York City, which houses many major communications and media companies, including Viacom, Disney, and CNBC, as well as organizations such as the Museum of Natural History and the United Nations. The Communication and Media Arts Department also sponsors frequent events, such as the Media Arts Showcase, various festivals, workshops, and meetings to give students even more opportunities to develop their talents. </p> <h3 id="section---10.SusquehannaUniversity"> 10. Susquehanna University</h3> <p>While pursuing their Bachelor of Arts in Communications at Susquehanna, students can select from five majors: sports media, advertising and public relations, broadcasting, journalism and digital content, and communication studies. Every student in the Department of Communication graduates with hands-on experience, with 93% of them participating in an internship. In addition to their extracurricular work, students can benefit from classes taught by a faculty that boasts an impressive r&eacute;sum&eacute; of performances, publications, and other scholarly and professional work that support and add to student advising interactions. With quality experience and education like this, it's no surprise that graduates of the Department of Communication at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, have been impressively recognized with 21 Emmy Awards. </p> <h3 id="section---11.RochesterCollege"> 11. Rochester College</h3> <p>A Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Rochester College in Rochester, Michigan, can focus on graphic design, digital media arts, integrated media, or broadcast media arts. In partnership with Specs Howard School of Media Arts, students gain hands-on experience to prepare them for careers in graphic design, broadcast media, and digital media arts. Media students are even able to take some of their courses online. Students who are looking for an accelerated program, have an interest in marketing as well as communication, and have an associate's degree, should check out Rochester's fantastic Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication-Marketing Communication, in which classes are offered in eight-week semesters! </p> <h3 id="section---12.HoughtonCollege"> 12. Houghton College</h3> <p>The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Communications from Houghton College in Houghton, New York, are among the largest degree programs on campus, due in large part to the recognition that everyone needs to be able to communicate clearly in a world that is overflowing with media. At Houghton, it is possible to earn a bachelor's degree in communication in just three years, and for those students looking to be even more challenged, there is an interdisciplinary honors program that opens up many networking opportunities with faculty and students from other departments, as well as providing an excellent talking point on a r&eacute;sum&eacute; during a job interview! Communication students can also benefit from collaborating with faculty on independent projects that reflect the students' personal and professional interests. </p> <h3 id="section---13.PennStateBrandywine"> 13. Penn State Brandywine</h3> <p>Penn State Brandywine in Media, Pennsylvania, offers Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Sciences programs that cover a broad range of topics, including ethics, history of media, advertising, graphic design, and public relations to name only a few. Internships in areas such as sales, marketing, public relations, television broadcasting and promotions, and political campaigns are offered year-round to give students the opportunity to begin building professional networks and contacts. Internship locations in and around Philadelphia include many readily recognizable companies, including Disney, Philadelphia Magazine, and New York Life Insurance Company. Communication students who seek an excellent creative outlet can benefit from joining the Marketing and Communication Club, which focuses on preparation for careers in marketing and communication. </p> <h3 id="section---14.SaintNorbertCollege"> 14. Saint Norbert College</h3> <p>De Pere, Wisconsin's Saint Norbert College partners with the Washington Media Institute program to give Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies students an opportunity to study for one semester in Washington, DC, and they can apply the credits they earn to electives in political science or communications and media studies. To further prepare students for work in an increasingly global work environment and help them practice their communication knowledge and skills in different contexts and cultures, study abroad opportunities are available in one of 30 different countries. Saint Norbert College boasts published authors and Emmy Award winners amongst the graduates of their outstanding communication programs. </p> <h3 id="section---15.MuhlenbergCollege"> 15. Muhlenberg College</h3> <p>Muhlenberg College's Media and Communication Department offers three interdisciplinary programs that can culminate in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Media &amp; Communication, specializing in film studies, documentary filmmaking, or creative writing. Students in these programs benefit from round-the-clock access to production facilities that feature iMacs, multimedia editing software, and even an FM studio, all of which they may work with in their future careers. Additional opportunities for communications students at this Allentown, Pennsylvania, college include studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland, joining an honors program, and participating in alumni events to connect and network with communication and media alumni, all of which makes for great talking points during interviews. Students also benefit from taking part in internships with well-known organizations such as the Lippin Group, TSD Enterprises, and the Alliance for Sustainable Communities, which looks terrific on r&eacute;sum&eacute;s! </p> <h3 id="section---16.YoungHarrisCollege"> 16. Young Harris College</h3> <p>The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies at Young Harris College focuses on both theory and application in communication and media. This school in Young Harris, near Atlanta, Georgia, strives to make internships at national and international companies and nonprofits possible, with opportunities available at such well-known places as the CDC, Arthritis Foundation, and CNN. The department has worked hard to foster relationships with the National Communication Association, the Georgia College Press Association, and the Appalachian Studies Association as well as several external links, such as the Student Press Law Center, International Communication Association, and Broadcast Education Association. These relationships provide the foundation for students' professional networking and career opportunities while they are in school and after graduation. </p> <h3 id="section---17.OuachitaBaptistUniversity"> 17. Ouachita Baptist University</h3> <p>Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media that proudly offers six areas of emphasis: sports media, visual media and film studies, integrated communications, strategic communications, multimedia journalism, and communication studies. The Communications and Media department boasts Arkansas' highest-ranked yearbook and sponsors annual trips to the Sundance Film Festival. The Carl Goodson Honors Program allows students in the communication program to complete 13 additional hours above their degree requirements so they can sharpen their focus on topics of interest to specifically prepare them for their dream career. Communication students in this program have the added advantage of faculty mentoring and honors trips during which they can put into practice what they have learned in their classes. </p> <h3 id="section---18.IonaCollege"> 18. Iona College</h3> <p>Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Media and Strategic Communication Department at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, can select from digital media and production, public relations, advertising, and journalism. Because Iona College wants its students to be prepared to lead, create, and innovate while in school and during their careers, it opened the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship &amp; Innovation. Through this institute, communication students have the opportunity to network across departments and take part in an interdisciplinary learning environment similar to what they may experience on the job. Internship opportunities for Iona students have impressively been filled at well-recognized organizations like Fox News, HBO, CBS 2, MSNBC, MTV, and Madison Square Garden, to name a few locations. Students who opt to pursue a graduate program can enter the Master of Arts in Public Relations program or that of sports communication and media. Graduate students can also participate in internships, which builds their professional network and adds to their credentials. </p> <h3 id="section---19.RandolphMaconCollege"> 19. Randolph-Macon College</h3> <p>A bachelor's degree in communication studies from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, focuses on human communication in a variety of contexts. This flexible program allows students to pursue options in media studies, interpersonal communication, and rhetoric. Popular extra-curricular activities for communications students at this school include working on the student-run Internet radio station, individual and group competitive oral communication events, and debate. The Branch and Sutherland Oratory Medal dates back to the 1800s and can be won by Randolph-Macon College's competitive individual events and Franklin Debating Society participants, while the Hugh Scott Oratory Award, which is a cash award, can be won by the Randolph-Macon student who wins a persuasive speaking competition, both of which show excellence in communication skills and stand out on r&eacute;sum&eacute;s! </p> <h3 id="section---20.TheMasterSUniversityAndSeminary"> 20. The Master's University and Seminary</h3> <p>The School of Business and Communication at the Master's University and Seminary in Santa Clarita, California, offers a bachelor's degree in communication with emphasis in speech communication, cinema and digital arts, journalism, communication, or creative writing and publishing. Working professionals teach the courses, often using an interdisciplinary approach, which produces projects that students can then add to their portfolios. Black Magic Design donated $100,000 in industry-quality equipment to this school so that communication students would have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the equipment they will be using in their careers. Perhaps that's the equipment used by Communications Department students that produced the short film that won an award at the Cliff Film Festival! </p> <h3 id="section---21.ChristopherNewportUniversity"> 21. Christopher Newport University</h3> <p>Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia has an innovative Health Communication Research Laboratory to study how the body affects communication and vice versa. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with majors and minors in rhetoric, interpersonal studies, and media and cultural studies, and it is common for students in these programs to present their original research at important conferences throughout the country, as well as at annual Paideia conferences, which have taken place around the world. Another exciting opportunity for communication majors comes in the form of an agreement with Old Dominion University to earn concurrent credit for Old Dominion's Master of Arts in Lifespan and Digital Communication. </p> <h3 id="section---22.RegisCollege"> 22. Regis College</h3> <p>The School of Business and Communication at Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in communication and in marketing and communications, as well as a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (in online and traditional formats). For students who are looking for exciting and relevant accelerated degree programs, Regis has Bachelor of Arts in Global Business or interdisciplinary studies that include a communications minor and can be completed in only three years, with a master's degree adding only one more year! With a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, Regis students get to know their professors and work closely with them on research or individual projects, which can be added to portfolios and listed on r&eacute;sum&eacute;s. Marketing and communication students take courses in a variety of formats, including online and hybrid, to address their learning styles and time constraints, and online courses are offered during summers in the accelerated programs. </p> <h3 id="section---23.WilliamPatersonUniversityOfNewJersey"> 23. William Paterson University of New Jersey</h3> <p>The Department of Communication at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, boasts 26 highly successful and recognized full-time professors who maintain their ties to academic and professional organizations in order to better meet their students' needs and keep their own skills sharp, such as the professor who recently won the Outstanding Campus Adviser Award from the Society for Professional Journalists. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with majors in theatre and comedy, communication studies, media studies and media production, and journalism and public relations. A Master of Arts in Professional Communication is available to students interested in a graduate degree. The university maintains state-of-the-art on-campus facilities and applications on par with those which students will eventually use on the job, and it even has a broadcast truck to allow students to experience remote broadcasting! </p> <h3 id="section---24.DillardUniversity"> 24. Dillard University</h3> <p>The School of Mass Communication at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, partners annually with the New York Times to host the New York Times Student Journalism Institute, which is a two-week training session with 24 of the best journalism students from historically black colleges across the country. It is taught by both New York Times and Dillard University staff and is a fantastic opportunity for journalism students. A Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a concentration in print and broadcast multimedia journalism or public relations is one of the top five majors at the university because of these partnerships and the department's highly respected faculty. The School of Mass Communication has close ties with local media and works with a well-known AM radio station to provide programming for Dillard students. </p> <h3 id="section---25.RollinsCollege"> 25. Rollins College</h3> <p>Thanks to the excellent education they get at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, internship opportunities at companies such as Universal Orlando Resort, Ralph Lauren, Golf Channel, Orlando Magic, and The Walt Disney Company are just a few of the possibilities for students studying for their Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. Rollins uses what it calls the Rollins Gateway to provide a flexible, interdisciplinary approach to its programs that is fully supported through mentoring to give communication students a fantastic opportunity to network with students and faculty from other areas and prepare them for the team-oriented approach used by most employers. Students frequently work with faculty members on research projects that are published in scholarly journals or presented at conferences around the world, which is a great thing to add to CVs or resumes. </p> <h3 id="section---26.WestmontCollege"> 26. Westmont College</h3> <p>Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Montecito, California's Westmont College can study abroad in places like Paris, Washington DC, the Netherlands, Los Angeles, and Buenos Aires, to practice communication theories they have mastered and learn about a society's cultural impacts on communication. Aside from four required communication courses, students have the freedom to choose seven additional courses from various core areas of study in communication that represent their research and career interests to complete their major. Also, students have the chance to work with award-winning faculty members in the communication department on research that can be presented at the Westmont College Spring Student Research Symposium, which is held each spring semester. </p> <h3 id="section---27.SUNYCollegeAtGeneseo"> 27. SUNY College at Geneseo</h3> <p>Students can follow one of three tracks to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from SUNY College in Geneseo, New York: personal and professional communication, journalism and media, or intercultural and critical studies. Because this school is devoted to its students, there are several distinguished scholarships and prizes available to outstanding communication students, including a scholarship from the Women's Press Club of New York State, the Mel Allen Scholarship in Communication, the Paul Hudson Communications Endowed Scholarship, the Academic Achievement Prize, and the Outstanding Student Service Prize. Service to the community is a major part of the communication program here with students working on projects in local media, sports, entertainment, and other venues. Communication majors also have access to numerous campus and professional organizations, including Toastmasters International, the American Society for Training and Development, and the National Communication Association to begin networking and establishing professional relationships. </p> <h3 id="section---28.SouthwesternUniversity"> 28. Southwestern University</h3> <p>Students at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies where their studies will focus on creative endeavors, research, and writing. Every curriculum at Southwestern utilizes the Paideia philosophy of making connections, allowing communication students to work in interdisciplinary environments geared to closely resemble their future employment conditions. Honors students in the communication program have the exciting opportunity to join the Lambda Pi Eta honor society of the National Communication Association, where they get to participate in establishing student award programs, attending or presenting their work, organizing or hosting public speaking events on campus, as well as many other rewarding activities. Not only do communication students get to enjoy a quality education, but they get to benefit from an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 and small class sizes of around 18 students, which gives them a great chance to work more closely with their professors and classmates. </p> <h3 id="section---29.FurmanUniversity"> 29. Furman University</h3> <p>Led by nationally-known scholars and experts in the field of communication, Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina offers undergraduate students a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies in Media Studies or in Rhetoric and Advocacy, while graduate students can earn a first-of-its-kind Master of Arts in Strategic Design. Small class sizes averaging 15 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 make it possible for communication students to work closely with their faculty instructors and mentors to produce exciting and engaging projects and portfolios. Communication students interested in public speaking, debate, and group discussion can participate in Furman University Forensics club, an active group that recently hosted the largest debate tournament in South Carolina. This club gives students a chance to polish their oral presentation skills, win accolades, and prepare for future interviews and careers. </p> <h3 id="section---30.HobartWilliamSmithColleges"> 30. Hobart William Smith Colleges</h3> <p>Students who don't want to major only in media and society, writing, or rhetoric, can design their own major for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science at Hobart William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, to fulfill their educational and career goals in the communication field. With a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio and small class sizes, communication students can take advantage of networking opportunities with talented and accomplished professors to prepare for their later courses and eventual careers. Media and society graduates from this school received such a quality education that they have won Emmy Awards for shows like <i>Glee</i> and <i>American Horror Story</i>. </p> <h3 id="section---31.LakeForestCollege"> 31. Lake Forest College</h3> <p>Thanks not only to its location 30 miles from Chicago but also the excellent education it provides, Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois, offers communication majors the opportunity to intern with some very well-known public and non-profit organizations, including the Chicago Blackhawks, The Field Museum, and WGN-TV. Students working on their Bachelor of Arts in Communication can focus on either media studies or rhetoric, and faculty members have extensive professional experience in areas such as mass communication, American public address, and film and video production. Recent graduates and incoming seniors in the communication program have studied abroad in Australia, Rome, and Greece where they have been allowed to view first-hand the interaction of culture and communication. </p> <h3 id="section---32.RoanokeCollege"> 32. Roanoke College</h3> <p>Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia understands the importance of setting students up for success and giving them a drive to achieve. In part to encourage this mindset, students in the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies program can meet award-winning writers as part of the visiting writers program, which has hosted Pulitzer-prize winning authors as well as prominent scholars and journalists, or they may choose to work on The Roanoke Review, a national journal published annually, among other publications and student clubs focused on communication. Students can also feel confident that their classes are taught by the best of the best, as the communication department boasts three Fulbright grant winners and a Fulbright Ambassador on its faculty. As a result of the fantastic education they received, this school has some very distinguished communications alumni, including Joe Boucher, who is the producer of <i>The Simpsons</i> and <i>King of the Hill.</i> A 2020 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Spanish even earned a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Taiwan! </p> <h3 id="section---33.AlleghenyCollege"> 33. Allegheny College</h3> <p>Noteworthy nternship opportunities at NBC headquarters, WCBS in New York, WICU in Erie, New York Islanders, and dozens of other well-known organizations in the Meadville, Pennsylvania, area are available to students who are studying to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Allegheny College. Students can benefit from the strong relationship that exists between the film, media/rhetoric, and theatre areas in the department and the community of Meadville, from working with local youth on media projects to special art and performance activities to using the town as the backdrop for films. It's no surprise that graduates from the Department of Communication Arts and Theatre have earned seven Academy Awards, over 30 Emmy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize for journalism. </p> <h3 id="section---34.AlbionCollege"> 34. Albion College</h3> <p>Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication are the two undergraduate degrees available from the Communication Studies Department at Albion College in Albion, Michigan. This school's small student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 allows communication students to establish a strong network of professors, mentors, and other students which will be important throughout the rest of their college and professional careers. Albion's communication alumni include best-selling authors, actors, filmmakers, and corporate officers, all of whom speak to the quality of education they received from Albion. </p> <h3 id="section---35.SaintMarySCollege"> 35. Saint Mary's College</h3> <p>At Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies or and a Public Relations and Advertising Minor are offered by the Department of Communication Studies, Dance &amp; Theatre. Students in these programs get the opportunity to choose from interesting and rare courses such as Argumentation (also known as the yoga mat class), and Masculinities in the US Media. As part of its devotion to communication studies, the college established the Ann Plamondon Endowed Fund in Communication Studies, which is the foundation for a lecture series featuring communications scholars and professionals so that communication students can gain a deeper insight into the careers they plan to enter. </p> <h3 id="section---36.UniversityOfWashingtonBothellCampus"> 36. University of Washington- Bothell Campus</h3> <p>The Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication Studies at the University of Washington in Bothell falls under the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Students have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive education, with dozens of unique courses available in a variety of subjects related to media and communication, such as Africa on Film, Politics and Popular Music, Participatory Media Culture, and Image and Imagination. The university has a close relationship with the city of Bothell, giving communication students a great opportunity to work with the community on research projects. </p> <h3 id="section---37.UrsinusCollege"> 37. Ursinus College</h3> <p>In the Media and Communication Studies program at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, students are expected to participate in the student newspaper, radio station, honor society, and/or cable television station. Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication Studies program have the opportunity to further specialize their degree through pursuit of concentrations in journalism, screen studies, communication and culture, or digital media studies. Additionally, students can pursue internships at such well-known organizations as CBS News Productions, A&amp;E Communications, Inc., Horizon Corp., or The United Way. Because of the great education they provide, Ursinus has many distinguished alumni, and recently one alumnus who works for NFL Films as an editor and producer won an Emmy Award for her work. </p> <h3 id="section---38.JamesMadisonUniversity"> 38. James Madison University</h3> <p>Harrisonburg, Virginia's James Madison University offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with concentrations in the following fields: </p> <ul><li>Organizational communication studies </li><li>Health communication studies </li><li>Advocacy studies </li><li>Public relations studies </li><li>Interpersonal communication studies </li><li>Cultural communication </li></ul><p>The university also offers a Master of Arts in Communication and Advocacy which has concentrations in environmental, health, or strategic communication. The School of Communication Studies has fantastic resources for its students, including a communication studies resource center, communication studies library, center for health and environmental communication, individual events and debate team, and links to national institutes and associations to help communication students build their skills and professional networks. </p> <h3 id="section---39.SaintAnselmCollege"> 39. Saint Anselm College</h3> <p>Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire offers a fantastic Bachelor of Arts in Communication. One of the unique opportunities students here have is each year on the anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth, students and faculty gather to remember The Bard by reading some of his works aloud, which is the perfect opportunity for communication students to practice their oratorical and presentational skills. Not only can students benefit from extracurriculars like this, but they also have the opportunity to take more rare and specialized electives like Women in Stand-Up Comedy and Intercultural Communication. The school has many esteemed alumni of the communication program, including entrepreneurs, radio personalities, authors, and professors. </p> <h3 id="section---40.RamapoCollegeOfNewJersey"> 40. Ramapo College of New Jersey</h3> <p>The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts program at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey, focuses on writing, digital filmmaking, visual communication design, journalism, or global communication and media. As a means of complementing their excellent education, communication students have plenty of exciting internship opportunities at places like Macy's, NBCUniversal Media LLC, Magnolia Pictures, AT&amp;T, Starbucks, Warner Music Group, CBS News, AlphaGraphics, and Fox News. Students here can also take advantage of membership in the Creative Media Club, an award-winning club for Ramapo students interested in communication, filmmaking, graphic design, and advertising. </p> <h3 id="section---41.ConcordiaCollege"> 41. Concordia College</h3> <p>Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota offers two Bachelor of Arts in Communication programs; one in communication arts/literature education and one focused on communication studies. The communication arts/literature education degree is for those students who want to become teachers in grades 5-12, while the communication studies degree has an astonishing 11 areas of emphasis from which to choose, including relational communication, applied media, film, and gender communication. Students who need help paying for college and are interested in competitive speech and debate can take advantage of Concordia's speech and debate scholarships that total an amazing $100,000 each year. </p> <h3 id="section---42.CurryCollege"> 42. Curry College</h3> <p>A Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts offers concentrations in several areas, including film, theatre, and video game studies. Students even have the exciting opportunity to design their own individually initiated concentration, with past examples being photojournalism and political media management. Curry's Communication Scholars program, designed for a small number of incoming freshmen who want to get a jump on networking with faculty members and other students as well as potential internships, meets as a group in two courses during the freshman year to help the new communication majors chart a course through the various concentrations and options in curriculum and internships. Curry students have set stages in Hollywood and the White House, and, thanks to the quality of the education they received, Curry alumni can be found working at Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Wayfair, Reebok International, and many other well-known national and international corporations and organizations. </p> <h3 id="section---43.EasternConnecticutStateUniversity"> 43. Eastern Connecticut State University</h3> <p>Eastern Connecticut State University's Bachelor of Science in Communication students can choose from six excellent concentrations: communication generalist (also a minor), advertising, public relations, applied media production, media writing and journalism, and leadership communication (also a minor). The university, located in Willimantic, Connecticut, boasts a recently renovated Communication Building that houses state-of-the-art equipment and classrooms on par with what graduates will find when they begin their careers. The communication department recently hosted ESPN, which was on campus to explain its NEXT program, which focuses on leadership development among communication students. Award-winning work has been produced by students who have had the opportunity to work with their professors on original research or productions. </p> <h3 id="section---44.ClaflinUniversity"> 44. Claflin University</h3> <p>A Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, offers students the opportunity to choose a concentration in public relations, digital media, or journalism. The campus newspaper, website, radio, and television station are all student operated, and students from all three concentrations work cooperatively to contribute to the success of these activities, much as they will when they begin their careers. Communication students can also join the Mass Communication Society or the Claflin Spoken Arts Club to participate in important and entertaining campus and community events while networking with other students. </p> <h3 id="section---45.CaliforniaStateUniversityChannelIslands"> 45. California State University- Channel Islands</h3> <p>A Bachelor of Arts in Communication is offered by California State University- Channel Islands in Camarillo, with emphasis areas in environmental communication, health communication, and organizational communication. In addition to access to an excellent student-run radio station and active honor society, communication students have a tremendous opportunity to mentor lower-division students which is a great r&eacute;sum&eacute; addition. Demonstrating its devotion to making its students feel valued, even if they cannot be on campus, a virtual capstone gala was held to congratulate the 100 graduates from the 2020 Communication Studies program. </p> <h3 id="section---46.CaliforniaStateUniversityFullerton"> 46. California State University- Fullerton</h3> <p>In 2020, students studying for their Bachelor of Arts in Communication from California State University-Fullerton won a film editing award and gained impressive national recognition at the National College Media Convention. Additionally, the School of Communication hosted the 2020 Census Student Journalism Symposium, which consisted of workshops geared toward teaching students how to report on results of the 2020 census. Not a school to let a pandemic get in the way of its plans, California State University- Fullerton hosted the 42nd annual Comm Week virtually and gave communication students the opportunity to get career information and advice from 20 communication professionals from a variety of fields. Some other interesting activities for communication majors include individual speech events and debate, a student-run public relations and advertising agency, the Latino Communications Institute, and peer mentoring. </p> <h3 id="section---47.WheatonCollege"> 47. Wheaton College</h3> <p>Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, offers four areas of concentration in its bachelor's degree program in communication: </p> <ul><li>Interpersonal communication </li><li>Theatre </li><li>Media studies </li><li>Rhetoric and culture </li></ul><p>This school knows its communication students may have unique career aspirations. As such, communication students can participate in the Washington Journalism Center and/or the Los Angeles Film Studies Center study programs, which are fantastic consortium programs supported by the college to give students more specialized and hands-on education opportunities. For students who are more interested in public speaking, there is a competitive program for parliamentary debate. </p> <h3 id="section---48.VirginiaStateUniversity"> 48. Virginia State University</h3> <p>The Mass Communication Department is rapidly expanding on the Virginia State University campus in Ettrick, Virginia, due in part to recognition of employers' needs for capable and effective communicators. Students in this department can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication or a Master of Arts in Media Management. Two very special events for communication students take place every year: the media outlet field trip and the annual symposium. These unique and formative events allow students to rub elbows with well-known figures in the media and mass communication field and learn more about the inner workings of careers in communication. </p> <h3 id="section---49.EmoryHenryCollege"> 49. Emory &amp; Henry College</h3> <p>Students at Emory &amp; Henry College in Emory, Virginia, can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication or pursue a minor in visual communication or mass communication. This school has plenty of student-run media opportunities, including a television station, radio station, yearbook, and newspaper. Likely a result of the hands-on learning they received, graduates have won Emmy Awards and have prestigious careers in fields like sports reporting and photojournalism. </p> <h3 id="section---50.QueensUniversityOfCharlotte"> 50. Queens University of Charlotte</h3> <p>The Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina, has partnered with Google Fiber to give students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts in Communication the opportunity to study and build technology skills across multiple media platforms. The School of Communication is actively engaged with the surrounding community and has created a literacy organization called Digital Charlotte to promote digital literacy. In addition, an amazing 100% of Knight School undergraduates feel prepared to begin their careers based upon their experience at Queens University. </p> <h2 id="section---OnlineCommunicationsDegree">Online Communications Degree</h2> <p>Along with on-campus programs, there are also online communications programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. You can usually complete these programs 100% online. </p> <p>Online associate degree programs in communications are not widely available and usually have a focus on general communications instead of specialized fields. On the other hand, there are a multitude of online bachelor's degree in communications programs in a range of specializations, such as mass communications, digital media, and graphic communications. </p> <p>At the graduate level, online master's programs in communications are also available in a range of specializations, including in strategic communications and mass communications. Although rare, there are some online PhD in Communications programs available. Some of these doctorate programs can be completed fully online, while others may require in-person residencies or at least 1 on-campus class. </p> <h2 id="section---CommunicationsDegreeProgramAccreditation">Communications Degree Program Accreditation</h2> <p>When choosing a communications degree program, there are several accreditation types that are important, including school and program accreditation. Beyond being assured you will receive a high-quality education, only students who attend an accredited school can receive federal financial aid. </p> <p>Colleges and universities can apply for national or regional accreditation in order to prove they've met high, independent standards in terms of institutional and educational quality. Regional accreditation is a more prestigious recognition. </p> <p>On the program level, on-campus and online communications degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level can seek accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). To achieve accreditation, communications programs must meet standards that include: </p> <ul><li>Curriculum and instruction </li><li>Diversity and inclusiveness </li><li>Faculty credentials and scholarship </li><li>Students support services and resources </li><li>Student assessment </li><li>Professionalism and public service </li></ul><h2 id="section---WhatCanYouDoWithACommunicationDegree">What Can You Do with a Communication Degree?</h2> <p>Communications degrees focus on critical thinking, creativity, effective communication strategies, and collaboration with a goal to prepare students for a variety of careers in a range of industries. The following are jobs you can get with a communications degree: </p> <ul><li>Copywriter </li><li>Social Media Director </li><li>Director of Public Relations </li><li>Marketing Communications Specialist </li><li>Journalist </li><li>Grant Writer </li><li>Political Campaign Coordinator </li></ul><p>High-paying jobs with a communications degree are available in private companies, in non-profit organizations, in media and news organizations, and in the government.</p>